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After the Darts Regulation Authority (DRA) adopted a new policy banning biological males from competing in women’s competitions, a transgender competitor has spoken out to blast the decision.
Noa-Lynn van Leuven from the Netherlands spoke against the new policy on Thursday.
“Apparently I’ve just been retired, not by choice, but because I’m no longer allowed to compete,” Van Leuven said in an Instagram video.
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Protesters against transgender athletes competing in women’s sports gather outside the Supreme Court on January 13, 2026 in Washington, DC (Heather Diehl/Getty Images)
“I worked so damn hard for years just to get here. I showed up, I competed. I respected the sport every game, every single day. And now, with just one decision, I’m being told that I don’t belong anymore. This isn’t just about me. This is another huge hit to the trans community.”
Van Leuven suggested taking further steps to be able to participate in the women’s competitions.
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A protester carries a transgender pride flag outside the Supreme Court as it hears arguments over state laws barring transgender girls and women from playing on school athletic teams, Tuesday, Jan. 13, 2026, in Washington. (Julia Demaree Nikhinson/AP)
“This is not the end. I’m just going back to the drawing board. I’m not done fighting,” the player said.
Van Leuven had competed in the Women’s Series of the Professional Darts Corporation, and in 2024 she became the first transgender player to play at the Women’s PDC World Darts Championship.
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Protesters wave transgender pride flags outside the Supreme Court as it hears arguments over state laws barring transgender girls and women from playing on school athletic teams, Tuesday, Jan. 13, 2026, in Washington. (Julia Demaree Nikhinson/AP)
The DRA said in a statement on Thursday that it had begun a review of its policies in 2025. It included commissioning a report from “an academic developmental biologist who has published numerous papers on sex and categories in sport. The DRA has also considered extensive legal advice.”
“As a result of its review, the DRA is convinced that, in order to achieve fair competition in darts, only biological females should be eligible to compete in women’s tournaments governed by the DRA rules,” it said.
